What should a Werewolf Companion look like?

Erickson9610 · May 27

What would you like our first Werewolf Companion's werewolf form to look like? Please take a look at the following table for reference:

In other words, which fur color texture (white, ashen, or black) should they have, and which model (male or female) should they use? If you don't care, choose the last option in the poll.

The "Other" options below are for new fur colors that don't exist yet. If you think a Werewolf Companion would look better with a fur color other than the three above, choose one of the "Other" options below! This unique fur texture would help them to stand out as a unique character.

For the sake of further discussion, which Race and Class should this Werewolf Companion have in their human form? Presume that they have the option of transforming during combat, and can either be in their human form or in their werewolf form when fighting enemies. Which human form appearance would best suit their werewolf form, and vice versa?

coop500 · May 27

Male, White

Considering I'll probably never use the white skin, I chose that.

JimT722 · May 27

I'm fine with anything!

I just hope they eventually add a werewolf companion. that would be awesome and add another form of increased sustain while solo. they should add a vampire companion as well at some point.

Erickson9610 · May 27

Male, Other

Erickson9610 wrote: »

For the sake of further discussion, which Race and Class should this Werewolf Companion have in their human form? Presume that they have the option of transforming during combat, and can either be in their human form or in their werewolf form when fighting enemies. Which human form appearance would best suit their werewolf form, and vice versa?

Honestly, the Race and Class are totally dependent on the character's story. After all, every combination of Race and Class can also be a Werewolf. The same goes for appearance. In other words, there is no single "best" combination.

Personally, I'd love to see a Templar Nord be our first Werewolf Companion. Specifically Nord because it'd be a funny reference to The Companions from TES V: Skyrim, but also Templar if the character's storyline involves themes of the duality of man. Maybe this character struggles to balance both aspects of his life due to being afflicted with lycanthropy. I'd want this character to get to use the spear abilities of the Templar kit (either Brilliant Shield or Blazing Might) since spears are an obvious hunting weapon. Maybe also let this character use one of the Companion Warden lines, like Winter's Bite if doubling down on the Nord theme with cold-themed abilities, or Beasts of the Hunt/Verdant Growth to emphasize the hunter/nature theme.

Renato90085 · May 27

I'm fine with anything!

types that players cannot use

LunaFlora · May 27

Female, White

the white fur looks pretty and i summon girl Companions more often.

But any of these would be good for a Werewolf companion and ideally Companions would use other Werewolf models exclusive to them.

Silaf · May 27

Male, White

More than the looks i'm interested in his behavior. I want the werewolf companion to randomly lose control when the full moon is up and attack you.

TX12001rwb17_ESO · May 27

The NPC Werewolf form, that updated look is player exclusive.

emilyhyoyeon · May 27

Anything but the white. It's so bright looking and kinda looks weird to me

Erickson9610 · May 27

Male, Other

LunaFlora wrote: »

the white fur looks pretty and i summon girl Companions more often.

But any of these would be good for a Werewolf companion and ideally Companions would use other Werewolf models exclusive to them.

TX12001rwb17_ESO wrote: »

The NPC Werewolf form, that updated look is player exclusive.

Renato90085 wrote: »

types that players cannot use

ZOS has stated that they would like to update every werewolf in the game to use the new model, but it's too much work to do in Update 50. They started with the NPCs in the Hircine's Gift quest, and I suspect we'll see the Wolfhunter dungeons get updated as well when the Solo Dungeons get implemented.

Silaf wrote: »

More than the looks i'm interested in his behavior. I want the werewolf companion to randomly lose control when the full moon is up and attack you.

This wouldn't happen for gameplay reasons, but if it did happen, then it's only fair that we be allowed to fight back. It would be kind of cool to have a dueling mechanic with our Companions, but this shouldn't count as a proper duel so we can't progress related Golden Pursuit challenges or get Isobel's duel requirement complete without actually dueling another player.

DarkStrifeYT · May 27

I'm fine with anything!

Should look like a werewolf

Erickson9610 · May 27

Male, Other

DarkStrifeYT wrote: »

Should look like a werewolf

Ideally, yes.

This poll is really aimed at the people who both want a Werewolf Companion and care what they look like. ESO is the first TES game to give the werewolves fur colors other than brown, for instance. And it's the first one to give you a different model depending on whether your character is male or female.

DarkStrifeYT · May 27

I'm fine with anything!

Erickson9610 wrote: »

DarkStrifeYT wrote: »

Should look like a werewolf

Ideally, yes.

This poll is really aimed at the people who both want a Werewolf Companion and care what they look like. ESO is the first TES game to give the werewolves fur colors other than brown, for instance. And it's the first one to give you a different model depending on whether your character is male or female.

i was being funny

AScarlato · May 27

Male, Ashen

Should just use the new NPC questgiver as a companion (also the vampire one).

Would prefer a basic brown werewolf but Ashen I guess is fine.

White i think is a bit ugly.

Erickson9610 · May 27

Male, Other

DarkStrifeYT wrote: »

Erickson9610 wrote: »

DarkStrifeYT wrote: »

Should look like a werewolf

Ideally, yes.

This poll is really aimed at the people who both want a Werewolf Companion and care what they look like. ESO is the first TES game to give the werewolves fur colors other than brown, for instance. And it's the first one to give you a different model depending on whether your character is male or female.

i was being funny

I was just making sure! I did find it humorous.

LPapirius · May 27

But I want a calico WW!

Erickson9610 · May 27

Male, Other

LPapirius wrote: »

But I want a calico WW!

That would be either the "Male, Other" or "Female, Other" option!

Soarora · May 27

I'm fine with anything!

I lean towards ashen, but I don’t have a preference on male or female.

Munkfist · May 28

As there's no option for the hope of not having a werewolf be introduced as a companion, I'm abstaining from voting.

I think a werewolf companion would be highly out of place in ESO, as lore-wise, werebeasts are mostly despised across Tamriel. They are bloodthirsty, and susceptible to bloodlust.

I know very little of lore and most things in TES, but I don't see how they could fit into the lore I do know. Werewolves are pack beasts, and never stray too far from their pack. The bloodlust drives them to a frenzy, potentially harming anyone close at hand. A starved werewolf can become feral and kill on impulse.

I'm unsure how building rapport would be handled, as well as the Justice system as lycanthropy is a criminal act.

Few things ruin immersion for me in ESO, but this may be one of those things.

Erickson9610 · May 28

Male, Other

Munkfist wrote: »

I'm unsure how building rapport would be handled, as well as the Justice system as lycanthropy is a criminal act.

Zerith-var has the "Atoning Spirit" skill, which is based off of the Player Necromancer ability "Spirit Mender", which is a Criminal Act for players only. In other words, a Werewolf Companion's skills would not tie into the Justice System in any way, since Zerith-var gets to use Criminal Act skills without affecting the Justice System. Keep in mind that a Vampire Companion would also not affect the Justice System.

Munkfist wrote: »

I think a werewolf companion would be highly out of place in ESO, as lore-wise, werebeasts are mostly despised across Tamriel. They are bloodthirsty, and susceptible to bloodlust.

I know very little of lore and most things in TES, but I don't see how they could fit into the lore I do know. Werewolves are pack beasts, and never stray too far from their pack. The bloodlust drives them to a frenzy, potentially harming anyone close at hand. A starved werewolf can become feral and kill on impulse.

TES V: Skyrim allows us to recruit Aela the Huntress (a werewolf) as a follower, even after we've cured ourselves of lycanthropy. There are several existing werewolf characters in ESO who are friendly toward the player, such as Narazda and Hildegard, even when the player is not a werewolf themselves. It's not out of place in TES for werewolf characters to befriend us.

Fischblut · May 28

For me, the companion should look like a current white werewolf model (no gender, and no Direwolf pets like in original version):

Upcoming werewolf design is not good for my taste at all, so looking at the pictures of new model in original post is a bit depressing

AScarlato · May 28

Male, Ashen

There was more than just Aela, Farkas and Vilkas were also wolves and you could marry any of them even. I can't remember if the story required them to be cured or not, but you travel with them for a time when they were still afflicted.

A werewolf companion lorewise may be niche, but we have WW players and having a packmate companion would work pretty well for them I would think.

Silaf · May 28

Male, White

When the full moon is up if the main character is not a werewolf there should be a chance the companion will attack him to flee and momenterily disappear once defeated.
A chance to contract licantropy should be present in this case too.

Munkfist · May 28

Erickson9610 wrote: »

Munkfist wrote: »

I'm unsure how building rapport would be handled, as well as the Justice system as lycanthropy is a criminal act.

Zerith-var has the "Atoning Spirit" skill, which is based off of the Player Necromancer ability "Spirit Mender", which is a Criminal Act for players only. In other words, a Werewolf Companion's skills would not tie into the Justice System in any way, since Zerith-var gets to use Criminal Act skills without affecting the Justice System. Keep in mind that a Vampire Companion would also not affect the Justice System.

TES V: Skyrim allows us to recruit Aela the Huntress (a werewolf) as a follower, even after we've cured ourselves of lycanthropy. There are several existing werewolf characters in ESO who are friendly toward the player, such as Narazda and Hildegard, even when the player is not a werewolf themselves. It's not out of place in TES for werewolf characters to befriend us.

I'll take your word on the friendly characters, though I remember Hildegard is caged up, assuming for the reason of being a werewolf.

As for the Justice system, I've never had Zerith cast his abilities near a guard or NPC to know forsure if it's under the rules or not. I do believe they should be subject to the same rules that the player should be in those regards. Inconsistencies tend to breed more inconsistencies.

Dojohoda · May 28

Male, Other

Black with white markings like a beautiful Border Collie Dog. He will round up all the baddies in a nice tight formation so I can melt them with a supersonic beam of death. Yes.

Erickson9610 · May 28

Male, Other

Munkfist wrote: »

Erickson9610 wrote: »

Munkfist wrote: »

I'm unsure how building rapport would be handled, as well as the Justice system as lycanthropy is a criminal act.

Zerith-var has the "Atoning Spirit" skill, which is based off of the Player Necromancer ability "Spirit Mender", which is a Criminal Act for players only. In other words, a Werewolf Companion's skills would not tie into the Justice System in any way, since Zerith-var gets to use Criminal Act skills without affecting the Justice System. Keep in mind that a Vampire Companion would also not affect the Justice System.

TES V: Skyrim allows us to recruit Aela the Huntress (a werewolf) as a follower, even after we've cured ourselves of lycanthropy. There are several existing werewolf characters in ESO who are friendly toward the player, such as Narazda and Hildegard, even when the player is not a werewolf themselves. It's not out of place in TES for werewolf characters to befriend us.

I'll take your word on the friendly characters, though I remember Hildegard is caged up, assuming for the reason of being a werewolf.

As for the Justice system, I've never had Zerith cast his abilities near a guard or NPC to know forsure if it's under the rules or not. I do believe they should be subject to the same rules that the player should be in those regards. Inconsistencies tend to breed more inconsistencies.

If you check the tooltips of the abilities, none of the Companion skills are listed "Criminal Act" the way some of the player abilities are. I'd prefer it stay this way, because nobody wants to get a bounty for something their Necromancer/Werewolf/Vampire Companion did. And even if the guards just attack your Companion instead of you, since you're not the one committing the crime — the Companion will just stand right back up once slain because combat is then over. It's ultimately meaningless to tie Companions to the Justice System.

At best, having a "Used while not near a Witness" stipulation on "illegal" Companion abilities would better simulate the idea of Criminal Act abilities. Companions follow an algorithm to determine which abilities are used when and where, whereas Players need to be punished or rewarded to encourage or discourage behavior. But even then, it would be more optimal performance wise to not run that kind of check, since Companions are usually not doing combat near Witnesses and Guards anyway (they're hidden from other players in cities!)

Erickson9610 · May 28

Male, Other

Fischblut wrote: »

For me, the companion should look like a current white werewolf model (no gender, and no Direwolf pets like in original version):

Upcoming werewolf design is not good for my taste at all, so looking at the pictures of new model in original post is a bit depressing

We can expect the old model to be phased out over time. It's part of the graphical refresh this whole game is getting. ZOS just can't do it all at once in Update 50, but they can use the new models wherever werewolves are going forward.

There's no way ZOS would introduce gendered models and not want to use them for a character who we're supposed to care about.

Munkfist · May 28

Erickson9610 wrote: »

Munkfist wrote: »

Erickson9610 wrote: »

Munkfist wrote: »

I'm unsure how building rapport would be handled, as well as the Justice system as lycanthropy is a criminal act.

Zerith-var has the "Atoning Spirit" skill, which is based off of the Player Necromancer ability "Spirit Mender", which is a Criminal Act for players only. In other words, a Werewolf Companion's skills would not tie into the Justice System in any way, since Zerith-var gets to use Criminal Act skills without affecting the Justice System. Keep in mind that a Vampire Companion would also not affect the Justice System.

TES V: Skyrim allows us to recruit Aela the Huntress (a werewolf) as a follower, even after we've cured ourselves of lycanthropy. There are several existing werewolf characters in ESO who are friendly toward the player, such as Narazda and Hildegard, even when the player is not a werewolf themselves. It's not out of place in TES for werewolf characters to befriend us.

I'll take your word on the friendly characters, though I remember Hildegard is caged up, assuming for the reason of being a werewolf.

As for the Justice system, I've never had Zerith cast his abilities near a guard or NPC to know forsure if it's under the rules or not. I do believe they should be subject to the same rules that the player should be in those regards. Inconsistencies tend to breed more inconsistencies.

If you check the tooltips of the abilities, none of the Companion skills are listed "Criminal Act" the way some of the player abilities are. I'd prefer it stay this way, because nobody wants to get a bounty for something their Necromancer/Werewolf/Vampire Companion did. And even if the guards just attack your Companion instead of you, since you're not the one committing the crime — the Companion will just stand right back up once slain because combat is then over. It's ultimately meaningless to tie Companions to the Justice System.

At best, having a "Used while not near a Witness" stipulation on "illegal" Companion abilities would better simulate the idea of Criminal Act abilities. Companions follow an algorithm to determine which abilities are used when and where, whereas Players need to be punished or rewarded to encourage or discourage behavior. But even then, it would be more optimal performance wise to not run that kind of check, since Companions are usually not doing combat near Witnesses and Guards anyway (they're hidden from other players in cities!)

That I can get behind! It's moreso if the abilities were cast (Vampire/Werewolf Transormation mostly), in view of the public/guards that I would think should be subject to the Justice system. Having abilities just slotted, absolutely not.

More perspective opens eyes

Thank you!

Erickson9610 · May 29

Male, Other

Silaf wrote: »

When the full moon is up if the main character is not a werewolf there should be a chance the companion will attack him to flee and momenterily disappear once defeated.
A chance to contract licantropy should be present in this case too.

On the subject of Werewolf/Vampire Companions being able to infect the player with lycanthropy/vampirism, this could definitely be explored. However, it would be slightly redundant at this point now that we already have those NPCs who give you a bite directly. Maybe some players want to roleplay letting their Companion be the one to give them a curse — it could be a mauling from their Werewolf Companion or a neck bite from their Vampire Companion (hopefully not a screen fade to black like with those NPCs)! I do think that this should be something the player can only ask for at max rapport with the respective Companion, though. It would be an added bonus for being in their good favor.

Conversely, I'd like to see players be the ones who have a bit more difficulty stopping themselves from transforming — if a player is a werewolf and doesn't have their transformation ultimate slotted then they should have a chance to forcefully transform. I know some characters in the lore have total mastery over their transformation, which is why the player is never at risk of transforming when they don't want to (and a Werewolf Companion can be the same way too) but it would be more fun if players couldn't just ignore the fact that they have a curse and had to strategize where to go and when so they don't end up transformed in the middle of town if they don't want to be. Obviously this should only affect overland zones, not instanced content or PvP zones.

16BitForestCat · May 30

I'll take your word on the friendly characters, though I remember Hildegard is caged up, assuming for the reason of being a werewolf.

To clarify, the Dark Brotherhood doesn't have a problem with Hildegard being a werewolf. She's caged solely because she hasn't learned to control herself while transformed yet. Same as locking up anyone else who loses control because they're on a rampage for whatever reason, mundane or supernatural.

Cooperharley · May 30

I’d rather the first werewolf companion be designed around their character and story first, then let the werewolf form reflect that.

Personally, I’d like something unique instead of just “player werewolf skin but companion.” A natural brown, dark grey, or black-with-markings look would stand out better than the very bright white option. Ashen could work too, but I think a companion should have a recognizable silhouette and fur pattern so they feel like a named character rather than a generic transformed NPC.

For race/class, a Nord Warden or Nord Templar would make a lot of sense to me. Nord gives an obvious Skyrim/Companions reference, while Warden fits the hunter/nature side and Templar could work if the story is about struggling between discipline and the beast within.

I do think a werewolf companion is lore-friendly as long as the writing treats lycanthropy seriously. We already have examples of friendly or controlled werewolves in TES/ESO, so the companion does not need to be a mindless monster. Their rapport could involve restraint, hunting, loyalty, Hircine, and whether they view the curse as a gift or burden.

What I would not want is a companion who randomly attacks the player or causes bounties through normal gameplay. That might sound immersive once, but it would get annoying quickly. If there is a “loss of control” element, keep it in their personal quest or make it an optional rapport moment. A max-rapport option for them to give the player lycanthropy would be a nice touch, though.

So my vote is: unique fur color, new model, strong packmate identity, and a story that acknowledges the curse without making the companion a gameplay liability.

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What should a Werewolf Companion look like?

What should a Werewolf Companion look like? 48 votes